Self-Realization Fellowship hosting Sunday concert, tours

ENCINITAS - Those wondering what's behind the white plaster
walls of Self-Realization Fellowship's blufftop retreat and
hermitage can see with their own eyes at a free open house and
concert from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Up to 11,000 people are expected to explore the retreat's
gardens and tour the meditation chapel and hermitage, where the
fellowship's founder, the late Paramahansa Yogananda, drafted much
of the spiritual classic, "Autobiography of a Yogi."

In 1920, Yogananda introduced India's practice of meditation to
the West and dedicated himself to bridging the East and West with
spiritual ties.

Later, in 1937, Yogananda founded the 17-acre retreat.

Self-Realization Fellowship teaches the science and philosophy
of yoga meditation, with a core belief that individuals can commune
directly with God. In Sanskrit, yoga means "union with God."

Services begin with prayer, usually to invoke an awareness of
the presence of God within the individual and end with prayers for
healing and world peace.

Talks are anchored to Yogananda's "How to Live" teachings, which
address everything from practicing fellowship with God to eating a
proper diet.

Within the Encinitas retreat, modest block buildings are
scattered across the grounds, which are hemmed in by walls capped
with golden lotus blossoms.

An expansive chunk of the property is bare ground, where
monastics play soccer and volleyball. That's where a stage will
hold a 45-member choir and a 50-member orchestra that includes
musicians from the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles
Philharmonic.

Among the performers in the Concert for a United World are
conductor Robby Martinez, opera singer Jennifer Jones, vocalist
Alan Paul of Manhattan Transfer and violinist Terry Glenny and
soloist Ken Ball.

Some of the artists are members of the fellowship, which is
headquartered in Los Angeles and operates temples and centers
throughout the world.

The repertoire will include a musical smorgasbord from
Beethoven, the Beach Boys, The Beatles and others artists. The
diversity of the song list is reflective of the fellowship itself,
which emphasizes the underlying unity of all religions and seeks to
foster goodwill among all races, cultures and creeds.

"(The fellowship) is honored to host this auspicious event for
our local community and to share that spirit of unity and
friendship that Paramahansa Yogananda promoted," said Sister
Mridani, a senior nun.

The Encinitas retreat used to host Halloween parties that drew
thousands of guests, but security concerns brought the parties to a
stop after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The center's
last open house was in 1995.

The retreat grounds bustled Thursday as workers erected canopies
and postulants trimmed hedges and applied fresh paint to the
stage.

On Sunday, light refreshments will be served but outside food
and beverages will not be permitted on the grounds.

In addition to the concert and tours, the event will feature
screenings of a half-hour film with remembrances of people who knew
Yogananda.

All are welcome at Sunday's event.

"Over the years, people don't necessarily know what's happening
behind the walls," said Bramachary Gordon, one of nearly 50 monks
who reside at the retreat. "We want the community to get to know
us."

Free parking and a shuttle are available at MiraCosta College's
San Elijo campus, 3333 Manchester Ave. For more information, call
(760) 753-2888.